Apparatus and method for egg washing brush

Abstract

Disclosed herein is an egg washing brush apparatus to clean an individual egg, the apparatus comprising a deformable half egg-shaped shell comprising a plurality of bristle bands, a plurality of protrusions extending inward from the bristle bands and configured to contact an egg.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An egg washing brush apparatus to clean an individual poultry egg, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a half egg-shaped shell comprising a flexible material and a plurality of bristle bands at least two of which intersect each other, the plurality of bristle bands defining an egg washing cavity; and 
 b. a plurality of bristle protrusions extending inward from the bristle bands and configured to contact an egg. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of bristle protrusions comprise a flexible material. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the flexible material comprises silicon or other water resistant, deformable material. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein at least one bristle band comprises a scraping ridge. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the half egg-shaped shell comprises a circular rim comprising a plurality of bristle protrusions extending inward. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the half egg-shaped shell comprises one or more bristle bands connecting to the circular rim and/or to other bristle bands and comprising bristle protrusions extending inward. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein an intersection of bristle bands defines an at least one drainage window. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7  sized for the type of egg to be washed. 
     
     
       9. A kit for washing a poultry egg, the kit comprising the egg washing brush of  claim 1  and at least one of a soap, a detergent, or an enzymatic cleanser. 
     
     
       10. A method for cleaning an individual egg, the method comprising:
 a. Providing an egg washing brush apparatus to clean an individual egg, the apparatus comprising:
 a half egg-shaped shell comprising a flexible material and a plurality of bristle bands at least two of which intersect each other, the plurality of bristle bands defining an egg washing cavity; and 
 a plurality of bristle protrusions extending inward from the bristle bands and configured to contact an egg; 
 
 b. Inserting an egg into the egg washing cavity; 
 c. Optionally providing a cleaning agent; 
 d. Introducing the cleaning agent into the egg washing cavity; and 
 e. Rotating the egg within the egg washing cavity so as to contact the protrusions. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10  wherein the cleaning agent comprises at least one of running water, soap, detergent, or an enzymatic cleanser. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  further comprising removing the egg from the egg washing cavity and inspecting the egg for cleanliness. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  further comprising rinsing the egg. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  further comprising repeating the method if necessary. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  further comprising removing the egg from the egg washing cavity and deforming the half egg-shaped shell to elevate a cleaning ridge. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15  further comprising removing a remaining material on the egg by scraping the material with the cleaning ridge. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  further comprising rinsing the egg. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  further comprising inspecting the egg for cleanliness. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  further comprising repeating the method if necessary.